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Walnut Polyphenols Prevent Liver Damage Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride and d-Galactosamine: Hepatoprotective Hydrolyzable Tannins in the Kernel Pellicles of Walnut

Authors: Shimoda H, Tanaka J, Kikuchi M, Fukuda T, Ito H, Hatano T, Yoshida T
  • Journals: J Agric Food Chem.
  • Pages: 4444-9
  • Volume: 56(12)
  • Year: 2008
The polyphenol-rich fraction (WP; 45% polyphenol) prepared from the kernel pellicles of walnuts was assessed for its hepatoprotective effect in mice. A single oral administration of WP (200 mg/kg) significantly suppressed serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) elevation in liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4); while it did not suppress d-galactosamine (GalN)-induced liver injury. In order to identify the active principles in WP; we examined individual constituents for the protective effect on cell damage induced by CCl 4 and d-GalN in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. WP was effective against both CCl 4- and d-GalN-induced hepatocyte damages. Among the constituents; only ellagitannins with a galloylated glucopyranose core; such as tellimagrandins I; II; and rugosin C; suppressed CCl 4-induced hepatocyte damage significantly. Most of the ellagitannins including tellimagrandin I and 2;3- O-hexahydroxydiphenoylglucose exhibited remarkable inhibitory effect against d-GalN-induced damage. Telliamgrandin I especially completely suppressed both CCl 4- and d-GalN-induced cell damage; and thus is likely the principal constituent for the hepatoprotective effect of WP.